Information on Protected Characteristics

Age

Staff and students at GCU are entitled to work and study in an environment where age discrimination (or ageism) is not accepted and individuals feel supported and not discriminated against.

According to Equality Act 2010, this law gives you the right not to suffer a disadvantage at work because of your age.

Staff

Staff can contact Harassment Contacts, or People Services should they wish to speak to someone about bullying or harassment, and refer to the Staff Conflict and Complaints Policy for further information.

Disability

GCU is committed to disability equality for applicants and members of staff.

GCU Support

The definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010 covers a very broad of impairments, and the University is committed to supporting staff with a disability.

Occupational Health has a role to play to ensure that the work we are asking you to do will not cause you any ill health or exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions, including disabilities.

Line managers and People Services should be involved in discussions about disability, and potential reasonable adjustments.

Staff with a disability who require help in evacuation during an emergency, will require a PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan). Guidance on writing the PEEP can be accessed via the link. The collation of the PEEP is the responsibility of the School/Department Health and Safety Chair or elected responsible person. The PEEP is to be reviewed periodically in line with timetabling requirements and the nature of disability.

Reasonable Adjustments

One way that GCU fulfils our responsibilities to support equality for staff with a disability is through reasonable adjustments.

The duty to make reasonable adjustments aims to make sure that, as far as is reasonable, a member of staff with a disability has the same access to everything that is part of the experience of working at GCU as a non-disabled person.

Reasonable adjustments may include removing physical barriers, changing working patterns, and/or providing extra support staff with a disability.

It requires a positive and proactive approach to taking steps that remove, reduce or prevent the obstacles a disabled member of staff (or job applicant) may face. Reasonable adjustments will depend on individual circumstances, and require a collective approach where relevant people, including the staff member, line manager and Occupational Health, discuss and agree on the most appropriate adjustments.

Access to Work

Staff who have a disability, health or mental health condition and require help in relation to starting or staying in work can apply for an Access to Work grant, which is a Government scheme run by Jobcentre Plus. Grants are considered on an individual basis and depend on the applicant’s circumstances.

The Disability Team provides advice, information and services to disabled students and applicants. This includes students with long term medical conditions, sensory impairment, mental health difficulties, physical impairment, specific learning disabilities (e.g. dyslexia) and students on the autism spectrum.Information and guidance on reasonable adjustments – students:

Gender Reassignment

GCU is committed to trans equality for students and staff.

Staff and students at GCU are entitled to work and study in an environment where gender is accepted, supported and not discriminated against.

According to the Equality Act 2010, Gender Reassignment is defined as a person who is proposing to undergo, is undergoing, or has undergone a process (or part of a process) for the purpose of reassigning a person’s sex by changing physiological or other attributes of sex. The University has also developed a Trans Student Support Policy to raise awareness of this aspect of gender equality and ensure that trans students do not suffer any discrimination, harassment or victimisation.

Staff who feel they are being discriminated against can contact Harassment Contacts, or People Services should they wish to speak to someone about bullying or harassment and refer to the Staff Conflict and Complaints Policy for further information. Students who feel that they are being discriminated against because of Gender Reassignment can speak to the Students Association or Campus Life.

The following important film, produced by the LGBT Health and Wellbeing in Edinburgh, features candid conversations with transgender people that challenge the stigma and misunderstandings surrounding transgender identities.

Pregnancy and Maternity

GCU is committed to equality for students and staff in relation to pregnancy and maternity.

Staff and students at GCU are entitled to work and study in an environment where pregnancy and maternity is accepted, supported and not discriminated against.

The University is responsible for ensuring that the necessary provisions are in place to assist and support staff and students who are new and expectant mothers, including appropriate welfare facilities. Facilities include a Nursing Mothers Room which is located in the George Moore building, in the restaurant near to the Study Club

Staff

Staff who feel they are being discriminated against can contact People Services. Further information can be found in the New and Expectant Mother’s Procedure (currently in draft).

Under the Equality 2010 Act, provisions state that education providers are unable to refuse an applicant entry to a course because she is pregnant or ask that she leaves a course because she becomes pregnant. Institutions will also need to consider arrangements for students to ensure that a woman is not treated less favourably because she is breastfeeding. Students who feel that they are being discriminated against because of pregnancy or maternity can speak to the Students Association or Campus Life.

The University has also developed a Student Pregnancy and Maternity Policy which applies to students who are pregnant during their studies at Glasgow Caledonian University, and is also for staff who may be supporting or advising students on issues related to pregnancy and maternity.

Marriage and Civil Partnership

GCU is committed to marriage and civil partnership equality for students and staff.

Staff and students at GCU are entitled to work and study in an environment where marriage and civil partnership is accepted, supported and not discriminated against.

Under the Equality Act 2010, it is unlawful to discriminate against marriage, same sex marriage or civil partnerships. The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 received Royal Assent on 12 March 2014, introducing same sex marriage in Scotland, and the provisions of the Act relating to same sex marriage came into force on 16 December 2014.

Same-sex couples can still have their relationships legally recognised as 'civil partnerships' if they do not wish to marry. Civil partners must be treated the same as married couples on a wide range of legal matters.

Religion or Belief

GCU is committed to religion or belief equality for students and staff.

The Equality Act 2010 states: -

1. Religion means any religion and a reference to religion includes a reference to a lack of religion.

2. Belief means any religious or philosophical belief and a reference to belief includes a reference to a lack of belief.

GCU celebrates and values the diversity of its staff and students and aims to create an environment where the cultural, religious and non-religious or similar philosophical beliefs of all are respected. The University is strongly committed to interfaith working and the Faith and Belief Centre provides spiritual support and information for staff and students.

The University has also developed a Religious Observance Policy which aims to ensure that students are treated equitably, regardless of their religion or belief while at the same time ensuring that students are aware of and able to comply with their duties as learners.

Race

Staff and students at GCU are entitled to work and study in an environment where individuals race is accepted, supported and not discriminated against.

Students

GCU has a student Liberation Group for Black and Ethnic Minorities; students can contact the Liberation Officer on ethnicminorities@gcustudents.co.uk. Students who feel that they are being discriminated against because of race can speak to the Students Association or Campus Life.

Staff can contact People Services should they wish to speak to someone about bullying or harassment.

Black History Month

GCU is committed to celebrating Black History Month, which takes place in the UK each October. Black History Month focuses on people whose sacrifices, contributions and achievements against a backdrop of racism, inequality and injustice are often forgotten about and who are absent from our history books and education system. We raise awareness and host events as part of our wider work on promoting equality and celebrating diversity. Find out more about our events during October 2017 here.

Sex (Gender)

GCU is committed to sex (gender) equality for applicants and members of staff.

Staff and students at GCU are entitled to work and study in an environment where sex discrimination and sexism is not accepted and individuals feel supported and not discriminated against.

Sex is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, and refers to a man or a woman. The Act gives you the right not to suffer a disadvantage at work because of your sex.

Staff

Staff can contact Harassment Contacts, or People Services should they wish to speak to someone about bullying or harassment, and refer to the Staff Conflict and Complaints Policy for further information.

Sexual orientation

GCU is committed to sexual orientation equality for students and staff.

Staff and student should be able to work and study in an environment where their sexual orientation does not disadvantage them in their place work and study.

According to the Equality Act 2010 Sexual Orientations is defined as a person's sexual orientation towards—

(a) persons of the same sex,

(b) persons of the opposite sex, or

(c) persons of either sex.

Students

On campus there is an LGBT+ Liberation Group and the Liberation Officer can be contacted at lgbt@gcustudents.co.uk. Students who feel that they are being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation can speak to the Students Association or Campus Life.